Lagos community protests alleged Eko Electric’s multiple billing

Residents of Ajegunle in the Ajeromi Ifeldoun Local Government Area of Lagos State, have petitioned the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc over alleged multiple and unjustified billing practices.

The residents vented their frustration during a protest in the community on Tuesday.

In the petition addressed to the EKEDP’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, the residents under the auspices of Ajegunle Peoples Movement accused the electricity distribution company of imposing exorbitant charges on the consumers without complying with the legal backing of the National Electricity Regulation Commission.

According to the petition, EKEDP had been issuing multiple bills to single meters in various compounds, with charges ranging from N40,000 to N150,000. Additionally, consumers were receiving separate flat-rate bills of N7,808, allegedly to recover NERC’s penalty against the EKEDP.

“A particularly troubling development is the issuance of an additional distinct bill for every bill to consumers. The first is the “normal bill,” which imposes exorbitant charges ranging from N40,000 to N150,000 per compound. This is even though many of these compounds are inhabited by tenants who use minimal electricity, typically limited to just light bulbs and fans. In addition, the EKEDP has imposed separate new bills at a flat rate of N7,808 each on consumers, in addition to the regular monthly bills.

“We have been informed that this additional billing is to surreptitiously recover NERC’s penalty against EKEDP for failing to properly bill residents or for overbilling consumers who were provided prepaid meters.

However, community findings have revealed that such multiple billings lack NERC’s orders or backing, making them unwarranted and unlawful.

“It is alarming that even though most of the Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA are classified under Band B and C for electricity supply, we are witnessing clear instances of extortion through overbilling in various streets,” the petition read in part.

The residents identified the affected communities as Etugbo Street, Layinka Street, Boundary Road, Odofin Street, Amechi Street, Arumoh Street, Nosamu Street, and Orodu Street, stating that they had been experiencing erratic power supply, impacting small businesses, sleeping hours, and neighbourhood security.

The residents however demanded immediate cessation of the multiple billing practices, withdrawal of extra bills, and transparent, equitable billing reflecting actual consumption.

“We reject these unjustified bills and demand free prepaid meters for all consumers,” Oshunfunrewa said. He also requested a town hall meeting between EKEDP management and the residents to address the grievances openly and transparently.

The spokesperson for the group, Moshood Adebola, told our correspondent that the petition was submitted at the EKODISCO Orege zonal branch.

EKEDP’s Apapa District spokesperson, Chioma Rose, did not respond to calls made to her phone. A text message sent to her had yet to be responded to as of the time the time this report was filed.